See also

Robbie Coltrane became well known in the early 1980s with the rise of television's alternative comedy scene. Coltrane was in the original production of 'The Slab Boys' and its sequel 'Cuttin' a Rug', which were written by John Byrne. This portrait shows the actor in the character of Danny McGlone from Byrne's 'Tutti Frutti', for which Coltrane won his first nomination as best actor for a BAFTA award. The apple core he clutches represents the music business in which his character is involved, suggesting it is rotten to the core. He is now best known to an international audience as Hagrid, the kindly giant in the Harry Potter films.

Details

Acc. No.PG 3116

MediumOil on board on paper

Size30.00 x 21.25 cm (framed: 64.00 x 45.50 x 1.50 cm)

CreditPurchased 1998

John Byrne (Scottish, born 1940)

Byrne was born in Paisley and studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1958 to 1963. He has worked as an artist, playwright and theatre designer. Byrne uses a variety of styles and techniques as he has always tried to avoid being associated with particular styles or movements in art. In 1967, following a lack of success with London galleries, Byrne produced a series of paintings under the guise of 'Patrick', which he claimed was the name of his seventy-two year old father. These were met with interest, much to the artist's amusement.